As someone who was obsessed with the 1996 movie The Craft, The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland has been on my radar for a very long time. I heard great things about it and the premise intrigued me, but it wasn’t until I found a second-hand copy of the gorgeous Illumicrate edition that I decided it was time to give it a chance (I needed to know if the story was actually good before I spent an obscene amount of money on that edition). I’m happy to say that what I found was a dark urban fantasy book that’s fast-paced, emotional, and makes you reflect on the sacrifices women make to feel safe.
(Spoiler alert: I did spend an obscene amount of money on that gorgeous Illumicrate edition 🙈)
Spoiler-Free Summary
A dark urban fantasy novel, The Invocations follows three girls whose lives collide in the worst possible way: Zara, who refuses to accept her sister’s murder and turns to the occult to bring her back; Jude, a cursed rich girl whose soul is literally rotting after a demon deal gone wrong; and Emer, an orphaned witch who, despite having nothing, gives away her magic to desperate women seeking protection. When Emer’s clients begin turning up dead across London, one clue pulls all three into a reluctant, chaotic alliance to hunt down the killer together.
If you enjoy modern-London–set urban fantasy books about witches, dark magic, and desperate girls making messy choices, this one will grab you by the throat.
What Makes The Invocations So Wickedly Fantastic?
The Invocations is not only dark — it’s filled with terrifying literal and metaphorical demons, magic, occult rituals, and monstrous people. Add some fantastic characters with massive personalities, and what you get is a wildly engaging dark fantasy story with feminist themes.
The Characters
Our protagonists are consistent, compelling, and multifaceted in a way you don’t always find in YA urban fantasy. They each enter the story with a purpose, and by the end, they’ve all changed: Emer realizes she doesn’t have to run away anymore, Zara learns to let go, and Jude… Jude is easily one of my favorite fantasy characters of all time.
Jude is basically Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl — offensively rich, flamboyant, and proud of belonging to one of the most powerful families in England. She dabbles in witchcraft for shits and giggles, only to discover that feeding a piece of your soul to a hungry demon is no joke — especially when you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing. When everything inevitably goes wrong, she’s cast out of her family and forced to figure out who she is without the protection of wealth or status.
Her arc, from spoiled heiress to someone who actually begins questioning her privilege, is one of the strongest emotional beats in this urban fantasy book.
Emer, Zara, and Jude are all complex and messy in their own ways. They’re flawed, stubborn, traumatized, and sometimes selfish. If you love messy characters who make questionable choices but somehow win your heart anyway, these girls deliver.
The Plot
It’s a dark magical murder mystery set in modern-day London, coated with occult magic, demons, and danger. The plot itself is straightforward and sometimes predictable, but beneath the surface lies a thoughtful reflection on what women would do to feel safe in their own skin.
The idea that women must literally feed a piece of their soul to a demon — a feminist version of a Faustian pact — is chilling and powerful.
If you love urban fantasy murder mysteries with witches, rituals, and dangerous bargains, this book is absolutely for you.
The Writing
Like most YA fantasies I’ve read, the writing isn’t flashy — but it’s clear, cinematic, and extremely effective. The shifts between points of view feel natural, giving you a deep understanding of each character’s emotional landscape. The pacing is fast, the tension stays high, and the overall atmosphere has that dark fantasy, cinematic quality that makes scenes play out like a film in your mind.
It’s one of those fast-paced urban fantasy books you simply won’t be able to put down.
The Invocations: Final Verdict
Is this the deepest, most profound story you will ever read? Probably not.
Is it the most beautifully written piece of literature out there? Definitely no.
Is the special edition of this book worth the obscene amount of money I paid for it?
HELL YES!!! Every single penny.
It’s dark, exciting, emotional, chaotic, witchy, and so much fun. My fifteen-year-old self would have made this book her entire personality.
This is easily one of the best YA fantasy books of 2025 and one of my all-time favorites. I recommend it 1000%.